President Barack Obama is coming to New York City later this month to raise big bucks at a DNC fundraiser and hold a "thank-you" reception planned in Harlem, an important base of support for the president as the 2012 campaign takes off, POLITICO has learned.

According to two invitations obtained by POLITICO, Obama will hold a small, six-table, high-dollar fundraiser at the Red Rooster Restaurant on Lenox Avenue. The restaurant is the brainchild of chef Marcus Samuelsson, who prepared the first White House state dinner in 2009.

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POLITICO 44

VIDEO: Obama returns to Harlem for DNC event

The donation for the dinner is $30,800 a head, with funds going to the Democratic National Committee.

Later that evening, the president will attend what's being billed as an an invitation-only, "Thank You Reception with President Obama," at the Studio Museum on 125th Street. The DNC isn't planning to solicit donations for that event.

The choice of locations puts Obama back in a heavily African-American district, at a time when he's seeking to assure that turnout among black voters remains strong next year.

It also puts him smack in the district of Rep. Charles Rangel, whose supporters Obama infuriated last year when, at the height of his House ethics case, suggested the long-serving congressman should think about his legacy — including a possibly graceful exit.

It's the first trip Obama has made to the storied neighborhood in several months.

How much will it cost the taxpayers to pay for the President's partisan political fund raising trip? I don't support Democrats, and for that matter I don't support Republicans either, so I think it is wrong that I am forced to support this trip and help the Democrats raise money.

I don't know why Congress continues to allow it. Oh wait, partisanship is more important than the Nation, so it makes sense that both parties would want whoever is President, whether D or R, to use the office to promote the party.

Thats our president for you. Rather than be a leader and tackle some of the immense problems our country and world are facing, Obama is busy raising money for re-election and filling out basketball brackets. It doesn't get much more bizzare that that.

Thats our president for you. Rather than be a leader and tackle some of the immense problems our country and world are facing, Obama is busy raising money for re-election and filling out basketball brackets. It doesn't get much more bizzare that that.

Welcome Mr. President! This Harlemite loves you. As for the haters who routinely show up to post their negativity whenever President Obama's name appears, please consider shutting up. Barack Obama- unlike, say, George W. Bush- is capable of running the country and fundraising at the same time.

Oh is Obama campaining i thought that was why he was elected because he looks the other way and lets the house and senate due his durty work for him while he has big partys and flys around the world with his buddies at oue expence.

Japan with nuclear issues, Libya killing their people, the mid-east on fire, gas and food prices going through the roof, people still losing their homes and the stock market diving and he is attending a lavish fundraiser (pretty much funded by the taxpayer who have to pay for Air Force1 and security) that benefit no one but him.

Guess it is enough for the poor residents of Harlem to know Obama has graced their neighborhood with his glorious presence. I have one question for those folks. What, precisely has Obama done for you? Black youth have over 25% unemployment, your lot in life has not improved one iota. Yet you blindly support this arrogant narcissist because you share the same skin color. Trust me on this, his incompetence is reflecting badly on the entire black community.

The campaign president at it again...still! When is this guy going to be a leader of our country and stop with the partying, campaigning and golfing? He is more interested in the basketball bracket than the high gas prices, the high food prices and the world that is burning around us. This guy has to go!